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A major new space telescope searching for \u2018Earth 2.0\u2019 \u2013 to succeed Hubble and the soon-to-be-launched James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) \u2013 is one step closer to reality.<\/p>\n
The Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) is a leading mission concept to meet the recommendations of the long-awaited Astro2020 Decadal Survey, which identifies three \u2018priority scientific areas\u2019 for investment in astronomy and astrophysics in the USA over the next 10 years and beyond.<\/p>\n
Martin Barstow, Professor of Astrophysics and Space Science at the University of Leicester, was appointed by the UK Space Agency as an external observer to the LUVOIR study team, and is co-author of the report backing the proposal. He is also chair of the Space Telescope Institute Council, which provides oversight to the body operates Hubble and will operate JWST.<\/p>\n
Professor Barstow said:<\/p>\n
\u201cEarth-like planets orbiting other stars are enormously difficult to find and detecting them is beyond the capabilities of our current planned space missions, but we are developing the technologies to carry out this search and are close to having the tools ready to fly in space.<\/p>\n
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\u201cA mission like LUVOIR is the tool we need, and is a tremendously exciting prospect. The search for habitable worlds and life elsewhere in our galaxy is, in my view, one of the most important scientific quests.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will look forward to having that answer to the question \u2018are we alone\u2019 within my lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n
LUVOIR is the latest incarnation of a true successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, and is designed to observe targets in UV, visible and infrared \u2013 compared to JWST\u2019s sole infrared capability.<\/p>\n
One of its key science goals would be to find and characterise Earth-like planets orbiting nearby stars. The telescope is powerful enough to find approximately 100 of these exoplanets which can then be observed in detail to search for evidence of life beyond our Solar System.<\/p>\n
Initial designs show some similarities to JWST, with a segmented telescope assembly and large sunshade to be deployed in orbit. But LUVOIR would boast a segmented mirror up to 16m in diameter \u2013 compared to the current record 6m diameter array fitted to JWST.<\/p>\n
NASA will now examine the report\u2019s recommendations and start to implement technology studies in order to develop a mission incorporating LUVOIR and other proposals.<\/p>\n